The display self-test for these calculators is invoked by simultaneously pressing and holding the "a b/c", 1, 2, and 3 keys (highlighted in red in the illustration to the right), and then pressing the ON key (highlighted in green in the illustration). The test mode is terminated by pressing the ON key to reset the calculator.

The TI-36X SOLAR will automatically alternate between two different patterns. The TI-30X SOLAR and TI-30Xa SOLAR cycle through three test patterns by pressing any key (except the ON key) to advance to the next test pattern.

This key pattern does not invoke a self-test on the non-solar-powered TI-35X which is nearly identical to the TI-36X SOLAR, nor the non-solar-powered TI-30X and TI-30Xa, nor does this key pattern work to invoke a self-test mode on earlier generation or later generation TI LCD calculators.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

My TI-80 has ROM version 4.0, so your mileage may vary.

Caution: Adjust the calculator contrast to 0 (very light) before beginning the self-test to make sure the calculator's batteries are not too weak for you to be able to see the display during and after executing the self-test. Do not perform this self-test with weak batteries. The contrast is set to 0 upon completion of the self-test.

Four tests will be performed: a RAM test, a ROM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. The "ON" key is generally used to step through the various tests.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "ENTER SELF TEST?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test is the RAM test. The first cycle throught the RAM test is apparently completed before anything is displayed. The message "RAM:P ROM:?" is displayed, and a number in the center of the display, starting with one, starts incrementing every half second. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the ROM test.

ROM test. The ROM test completes almost immediately. The message "RAM:P ROM:P" is displayed.

Display test. Press "ON" to start the display test. The display test consists three patterns (vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), and checkerboard pattern) and a ten-step contrast test. Each test pattern is inscribed inside a one-pixel wide boarder drawn around the edge of the display. Press the "ON" key to step through the tests. The calculator will automatically step through the ten contrast settings of the contrast test.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts begins with "K" displayed in the upper-left corner of the display. Each key, including the "ON" key must be pressed once and only once. The order the keys are pressed is not important (the calculator is looking for fifty key presses). As each key is pressed, a "K" and two digit hexidecimal code is displayed in the upper-left of the display. "K P" is displayed if the test is successful. "K F" is displayed if the test failed, most likely because a key was pressed twice.

Press the "ON" key to complete the self-test. The calculator turns itself off. When "ON" is again pressed to turn the calculator on, the message "MEM CLEARED" is displayed, the contrast setting is zero, and all modes are set to their defaults. Press "2nd" and the up-cursor key to increase the contrast setting.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

My TI-81 has ROM version 1.8K, so your mileage may vary. (See below for notes on other TI-81 ROM versions I have encountered.)

Caution: Adjust the calculator contrast to 0 (very light) before beginning the self-test to make sure the calculator's batteries are not too weak to be able to see the display during and after executing the self-test. Do not perform this self-test with weak batteries. Several display test patterns use a contrast setting of 0, and the contrast is set to 0 upon completion of the self-test.

Three tests will be performed: what appears to be a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "2nd", "TEST", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "Self test?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing every half second. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of five different test patterns (all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and thirty-two contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-one more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "Y=" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "Mem cleared" is displayed.

Other TI-81 ROM versions. The following are differences in the self-test function as documented above.

ROM version 1.1: RAM test takes approximately 4.5 seconds per cycle; ten contrast settings during the display test.

Rom version 1.6K: ten contrast settings during the display test.

Rom version 2.0V: only three display test patterns (vertical lines, horizontal lines, and a combination checkerboard and vertical bar pattern) with no contrast test; the keyboard test starts with "49" displayed and decrements this count as each key is pressed in order starting with the "Y=" key.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

My TI-82 has ROM version 12.0, so your mileage may vary.

Three tests will be performed: a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "Enter self test?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing every couple of seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of six different test patterns (a vertical bar pattern, all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and thirty-one contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-one more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "Y=" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The cursor-left, cursor-up, and cursor-right keys are the last three keys of row two. The cursor-down key is the last key of row three. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "Mem cleared" is displayed and the display contrast is set to five.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

My TI-83, manufactured in August of 1999, has ROM version 1.10, so your mileage may vary.

Three tests will be performed: what I believe is a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "Enter self test?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing every couple of seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of six different test patterns (vertical bars, all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and forty contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-nine more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "Y=" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "Mem cleared" is displayed.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

This TI-83 Plus described in this write up was manufactured in March of 2002. It has the firmware BOOT code version 1.00 and BASE code version 1.14, so your mileage may vary.

Three tests will be performed: what I believe is a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the software version, followed by the message "Enter Self-Test?" and the warning "This will clear all memory". Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test. The calculator next displays "START?". Press "ENTER" to proceed with the self-test, or any other key to abort the self-test.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing approximately every eight seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of six different test patterns (vertical bars, all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and forty contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-nine more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "Y=" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "RAM cleared" is displayed along with the firmware BASE code version number.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

This TI-84 Plus described in this write up was manufactured in August of 2004. It has the firmware BOOT code version 1.00 and BASE code version 2.21, so your mileage may vary.

Three tests will be performed: what I believe is a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the software version, followed by the message "Enter Self-Test?" and the warning "This will clear all memory". Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test. The calculator next displays "START?". Press "ENTER" to proceed with the self-test, or any other key to abort the self-test.

A five digit number, which seems to vary each time the self-test is invoked, is displayed. Press "ENTER" to proceed to the memory test."

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing approximately every seven seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of six different test patterns (vertical bars, all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and forty contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-nine more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "Y=" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The cursor-left (key 24), cursor-up (key 25), and cursor-right (key 26) are part of the second row of keys. Cursor-down (key 34) is the last key on the third row. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "RAM cleared" is displayed along with the firmware BASE code version number.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

Three tests will be performed: what I believe is a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "2nd", "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "Enter self test?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing every couple of seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of five different test patterns (all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and thirty-two contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-one more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "F1" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "Mem cleared" and "Defaults set" are displayed.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

Three tests will be performed: a RAM test, a display test, and a keyboard test. Each test is aborted by pressing the "ON" key.

The self-test function is entered by pressing "2nd", "MODE", "ALPHA", and "S". The calculator will display the message "Enter self test?" followed by the ROM version. Press "ENTER" to proceed, or any other key to abort the self-test without clearing the calculator.

RAM test. The first test appears to be a RAM test. Starting at zero, a number in the center of the display starts incrementing every nine seconds. This test will continue indefinitely until "ON" is pressed to start the display test.

Display test. Press "ON" to halt the RAM test and start the display test. The display test consists of five different test patterns (all pixels on, all pixels off, alternate pixels on (checkerboard pattern), horizontal lines (alternate rows of pixels), vertical lines (alternate columns of pixels)) and thirty-two contrast settings. Press any key, except "ON", to step through the different test patterns. The first contrast test pattern will be maximum contrast, with all pixels black; press any key, except "ON", thirty-one more times to complete the display test. The vertical line test pattern will slowly reappear as the contrast changes.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test starts with "11" (row 1, column 1) displayed in the center of the display. This is the key code for the "F1" key in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. The order of keys pressed proceeds generally left-to-right, top-to-bottom, skipping the "ON" key. The key code prompt will not increment if a key is pressed out of order or the key does not work. The keyboard test successfully completes with "OK" displayed.

Press any key to complete the self-test. "Mem cleared" and "Defaults set" are displayed.

The TI Galaxy 9x has both display and keyboard self-tests. With the calculator off, the self-test is invoked by simultaneously pressing and holding the <- (backspace), (, and 8 keys (outlined in green in the illustration to the right), and then pressing the ON key (outlined in red in the illustration). Display test pattern two (see below) is displayed. Then press the 6 key (display test pattern three is displayed). Finally, press the 7 key (display test pattern one is displayed). You are now in self-test mode and can perform further tests.

The test mode can be terminated at any time by pressing the ON key to reset the calculator.

WARNING: Invoking the test described below will result in the clearing of data memory, program memory, and mode settings.

My Voyager 200 has firmware version 2.06, so your mileage may vary.

The self test functions include tests for the keyboard, display, memory and other tests.

The self test function is invoked by first going to the calculator "home" page, not the main applications page. From the home page, press F5, the green diamond key, and ( (left parenthesis key). A copyright notice and firmware version information is displayed. Press the "S" key. The self test menu options are displayed, along with abbreviated firmware version information.

   2.06, 10/31/2001
   1) FLASH TEST
   2) RAM TEST
   3) KEYBOARD TEST
   4) LCD TEST
   5) IDD OFF TEST
   6) LOW BATTERY TEST
   7) HI VOLT CONTRAST TEST
   8) LO VOLT CONTRAST TEST
   9) OSCILLATOR TEST
   0) RETURN

Pressing the number key corresponding to the test number invokes that test.

Flash test. Presumably, this test does a parity check of the code in the flash memory. It momentarily displays "Checking BASE CODE" before returning to the main self test menu page.

RAM test. The RAM test repeats until terminated by the ON key. While the test is in progress, a shifting/flashing pattern of vertical lines is displayed. After the RAM test is terminated, the display will be black. Repeatedly press the diamond key and the minus key to increase the contrast. The calculator will have returned to the applications screen. All memory will have been cleared, and all mode settings and the clock will have been reset to the factory defaults.

Keyboard test. The keyboard test displays a keyboard map consisting of black rectangles. (The keyboard map is arranged as a TI-92 keyboard, not a Voyager 200 keyboard.) As each key is pressed, the rectangle of the pressed key will become hollow. The keys may be pressed in any order, except that the ON key must be pressed last. If the ON key is not pressed last, the message "KEYBOARD TEST FAILED" is displayed. Press ON to return to the self test menu page.

Display test. The display test displays a menu of display test options. These options are self explanatory. The first five test options are static display patterns. The Auto Cycle option repeatedly steps through the other five patterns. Press ON to terminate any of the display tests and return to the display test menu.

   1) 1 Bit checkerboard
   2) 8 Bit checkerboard
   3) All ON
   4) All OFF
   5) Box Pattern
   6) Auto Cycle
   7) Return to main menu

Press 7 to return to the main self test menu page.

Not wanting to risk harm to my Voyager 200, or put it into a state that is difficult to recover from, I have not explored the other test options.

To exit the self test mode, press 0. Then press 2ND and ESC (QUIT), which will return you to the main applications page.